Pop-up carton construction

ABSTRACT

A container of stiff bendable sheet material cut, scored, folded and glued to provide a lower section having a platform formed with an upwardly opening cavity, a hinged upper section swingable into and out of overlying relation with the platform, and a tongue hingedly connected to and extending from the upper section and into the platform cavity for carrying an article of contents to raise and lower the latter upon opening and closing movement of the upper section.

United States Patent 1191 Girman 1 Aug. 19, 1975 1 1 POP-UP CARTONCONSTRUCTION [75] Inventor: Stephen J. Girman. Harleysville, Pa.

[73] Assignee: The Lehigh Press, Inc., Harleysville.

[22] Filed: Apr. 19, 1974 21 App]. No.: 462,311

[52] US. Cl. 206/4513; 206/451 S; 206/4529;

229/31 FS 511 lm. cl. B65D 79/00 [58] Field of Search 206/44.ll,44.l2,45.13,

. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.616.708 2/1927 Tanner206/4529 2.309.753 2/1943 Cowles et a1. 206/4518 2.616.558 11/1952 Kay,Jr 206/4518 X 2.948.455 8/1960 Frankenstein 229/36 2.951.583 9/1960Sanford 229/36 X 2.962.156 1 H1960 Adams 206/4514 2.990.056 6/1961Gillam 206/4513 3,009,565 1 H1961 Leone 206/4514 3.067.924 12/1962 Bakeret a1. 229/31 FS 3.095.086 6/1963 Berg 206/4519 3.124.293 3/1964Transport 206/4514 3.397.796 8/1968 Watts 206/4519 X PrimaryExaminerWi11iam 1. Price Assistant ExaminerStephen Marcus Attorney,Agent. or FirmRobert K. Youtie [5 7] ABSTRACT A container of stiffbendable sheet material cut, scored, folded and glued to provide a lowersection having a platform formed with an upwardly opening cavity, ahinged upper section swingable into and out of overlying relation withthe platform, and a tongue hingedly connected to and extending from theupper section and into the platform cavity for carrying an article ofcontents to raise and lower the latter upon opening and closing movementof the upper section.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures WHEIWEU I 3. 900,100

SE'IZET 1 OF 2 POP-UP CARTON CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Asis well known to those versed in the art of packaging, there is a broadfield of endeavor in mailable packages or containers requiring a highdegree of protective ability to resist the abuses of handling inmailing, and also a wide area of activity in the provision of containers or packages affording easy access to and removal of the packagecontents.

In the past, undue expense in manufacture and filling, and complexity inconstruction was necessary to achieve the above-recited desiderata,prior attempts often resulting in sacrificed protectivity and doubtfulreliability in operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an important object of thepresent invention to provide a container construction and blank thereforwherein are achieved a high degree of protectivity for withstanding evenabnormal abusive conditions in handling and transit without damage tothe container or its contents, and further wherein the contents is mostattractively and conveniently presented to the user or opener of thepackage by popping up toward the user for enhanced visual and manualaccess thereto.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acontainer construction and blank therefor having the advantageouscharacteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, wherein theconstruction is extremely simple so as to be capable of manufacture froma single, one-piece blank requiring single side printing and affordingample copy space, while being quickly and easily set up and filled.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a containerconstruction of the type described wherein staunchness and durability isachieved without sacrifice of economy and versatility in attractivedesign.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top, front perspectiveview showing a container construction of the present invention in anoperative, open condition of use.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a blank adapted to be formed into thecontainer of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line3-3 of FIG. I, with the contents removed.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but with the containerclosed.

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line5-5 of FIG. I.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken generally along the line 66of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularlyto the drawings, and specifically to FIG. 1 thereof, a container isthere generally designated 10, and is illustrated in open condition asincluding a lower or bottom section 11 including an upper or top wall 12defining a platform on the lower section. Provided in the platform 12 isan upwardly facing article receiver or cavity 13, and an additionalplatform receiver or recess 14.

Hingedly connected to the lower section 11 is an upper section 15, fromwhich extends a tongue 16 depending into the platform cavity 13. Thatis, the tongue or extension 16 is hingedly connected, as at 17, to theupper section 15 and extends therefrom to terminate at a free distal endlocated interiorly of the cavity 13. The tongue 16 may carry a suitablearticle of contents 18, such as a bottle, as illustrated, or other,which article moves into and out of the cavity 13 upon swinging movementof the upper section 15 relative to the lower section i l and platform12. Additionally, another article of contents, such as a dropper 19, maybe suitably carried by the upper section 15 for swinging movementtherewith into and out of the platform recess 14.

Considering now the blank, generally designated 20, as shown in FIG. 2,which may advantageously be fabricated from a single sheet of stiffbendable material, such as cardboard, or other suitable material, as byconventional cutting and creasing or scoring procedures.

More specifically, the blank 20 may be composed of a generallyrectangular main panel 25, operative in the container condition todefine a lower section or bottom wall, and bounded within a pair offront and rear, generally parallel folds or score lines 26 and 27, and apair of opposite side scores or fold lines 28 and 29, respectivelyextending between adjacent pairs of ends of the fold lines 26 and 27.Extending from the front and rear fold lines 26 and 27, beingcoextensive therewith, and thereby hingedly connected to the main lowersection panel 25 are a pair of generally congruent auxiliary panels 30and 31 respectively adapted to provide front and rear walls on the lowersection. Additionally, a pair of generally rectangular auxiliary panels32 and 33 are hingedly connected to and extend from opposite sides ofthe lower section panel 25 by fold lines or creases 28 and 29, beingcoextensive therewith. If desired, foldable gussets may be hingedlyconnected between the adjacent ends of auxiliary wall panels 30-33, asfront gussets 34 and 35 connected between front auxiliary, wall panel 30and respective side auxiliary wall panels 32 and 33, while similar, reargussets 36 and 37 may extend between adjacent ends of rear auxiliary orwall panel 31 and respective auxiliary or wall panels 32 and 33.

Longitudinally coextensive with the front auxiliary or wall panel 30,and hingedly connected thereto, as by fold or crease 40, is a generallyrectangular upper wall or platform panel 41. That is, the platform panel41 is generally congruent to the lower section panel 25, and boundedwithin the pair of parallel, laterally extending folds or creases 40 and42, and the parallel, forwardly and rearwardly extending folds orcreases 43 and 44 which extend between respective adjacent pairs of endsof the fold or creases 40, 42. Spaced within the bounds of platformpanel 41 is a specifically configured through hole, opening or cutout45. Also spaced within the bounds of platform panel 41 and spaced fromthe cutout or hole 45 is an additional cutout or hole 46, definedbetween a pair of generally parallel, forwardly and rearwardly extendingcuts or slits 47 and 48, and a pair of generally parallel, laterallyextending folds or creases 49 and 50, each extending between an adjacentpair of ends of cuts 47 and 48. Further, a cut 53 extends between medialregions of cuts 47 and 48, parallel to and spaced between folds 49 and50. It will therefore be appreciated that there is formed of thematerial of platform panel 41 within the bounds of opening 46 a pair oftabs or legs 51 and 52 respectively hingedly connected to the panel bycreases 49 and 50.

Additionally, the platform panel 41 may be provided along its boundingfold or crease 42 with a glue panel or flap 55 hingedly connected by thecrease 42 to platform panel 41. Also, there may be provided alongopposite sides of the platform panel, hingedly connected thereto byfolds or creases 43 and 44, a pair of side flaps or panels 56 and 57.

Extending from the auxiliary wall panel 31 opposite to the platformpanel 41 is a generally rectangular connection panel 58, being suitablyhinged, as by fold line or crease 59 to the adjacent auxiliary panel 31.The connection panel 58 may be generally congruent with the lowersection or bottom panel 25, and extending from its outer side, beinghingedly connected thereto by a fold or crease 60, is an upper sectionpanel 61, also generally rectangular and substantially congruent topanels 58, 25 and 41. The upper section panel 61 is bounded within thefold or crease 60, a pair of generally parallel side edges 62 and 63extending from opposite ends of the crease 60, and an additional edge 64extending between the distal ends of edges 62 and 63. Spaced within thepanel bounds of crease 60 and edges 62, 63 and 64 is a specificallyconfigured cutout or hole 65 located in general alignment with thecutout or hole 45 of platform panel 41, for purposes appearingpresently. In addition, the upper section panel 61 is provided with anelongate extension or tongue 66 projecting beyond the panel edge 64. Thetongue or extension 66 may be composed of a generally rectangularsection or arm 67 having one end hingedly connected, as by fold line orcrease 68 to the panel 61, the hinged connection 68 having itslongitudinal direction or axis generally parallel to and spaced betweenthe parallel fold 60 and edge 64. From the hinged connection 68, thetongue section or arm 67 extends between parallel side edges 69 and 70to terminate at a hinged connection, fold or crease 71 located outwardbeyond and disposed generally parallel to the edge 64. The tongue 66further includes an elongate section or carrier 72 extending from theouter end of arm 67 and hingedly connected to the latter by fold orcrease 71. The carrier section 72 terminates at an outer end edge 73 andis provided on opposite sides, adjacent to the outer end edge with apair of wings, gripping flaps or fingers 74, for purposes appearinghereinafter. It will be seen in FIG. 2 that the tongue 66 is generallyin alignment with the opening 46.

The blank further includes a cover panel 80, gen erally rectangular inconfiguration, extending outwardly from and hingedly connected to theside wall panel 32, as by crease or fold 81. A generally rectangularcavity wall or leg panel 82 is hingedly connected to and extendsoutwardly from the cover panel 80, as by fold or crease 83, the leg orwall panel 82 being generally longitudinally dimensioned correspondingto the longitudinal dimension of cavity 46. Along the outer longitudinaledge of panel 82 is a flap 84 hingedly connected by a fold or creaseline 85, and at opposite ends of the panel 82 are hingedly connectedthereto, as by respective end folds or creases 86, generally rectangularend tabs or ears 87.

Extending oppositely outwardly from the other side wall panel 33,longitudinally coextensive therewith, is an additional cover panelhingedly connected to the side wall panel by a fold or crease 91. Spacedwithin the bounds of cover panel 90 there is formed a cutout or opening92 corresponding generally to the size and shape of platform panel hole45. However, there are formed in the cutout 92 a pair of flaps 93disposed in adjacent side-by-side relation, and configured tosubstantially completely occupy the cutout 92, each flap being hingedlyconnected, as by a fold line or crease 94, to a respective opposite sideof the cutout.

Further, a generally rectangular cavity wall panel 95 extends outwardfrom the cover panel 90, being hingedly connected thereto by a fold lineor crease 96, and is of a length generally equal to that of cavitycutout 46. Extending outwardly from the cavity wall panel 95, beinghingedly connected to the latter by a fold or crease 97, is a side flap98, while a pair of opposite end tabs or ears 99 are hingedly connectedto opposite ends of the wall panel 95 by respective folds or creases100.

In setting up of the blank 20 to form the container 10, the platformpanel 41 is swung into position spaced conformably over the lowersection 25, as by flexure of hinge folds or creases 26 and 40, flap 55being folded downward about its hinged connection 42 and panel 31 beingswung upward about its its hinged connection 27, so that flap 55 is infacing engagement with rear wall panel 31. Suitable adhesive means isapplied to flap 55 and/or wall panel 31 for gluing of the same togetherin.

their facing engagement. The platform panel 41 is thus elevated anddefines a platform spaced over the lower section or panel 25.

The tabs or cavity wall panels 51 and 52 are swung downward to providefront and rear walls of the cavity 46, and the platform end flaps 56 and57 are swung downward toward the bottom section 25. The side Wall panels32 and 33 may then be swung upward, about respective hinged connections28 and 29, simultaneously folding the gussets 34-37 inwardly between theassociated pair of side walls 32, 33 and flaps 56, 57.

The cover panel 80 may then be swung inwardly about the axis of crease81 to overlie the adjacent portion of platform 41, and the cavity wallpanel 82 swung downwardly into the cavity 46. Thus, the cavity wallpanel lines or defines a wall 82 along one side of the cavity 46,extending generally between the cavity end walls 51 and 52. The flap 84may extend from the lower end of cavity side wall 82 generally inwardlyof the cavity along the lower section or bottom wall 25; from oppositeends of the cavity side wall 82, obliquely outwardly therefrom, mayextend the ears or tabs 87. Thus, the ears or tabs 87 function in themanner of struts or props rigidifying the overall structure, anddefining generally upright spacers extending between the lower sectionor bottom wall 25 and platform 41, while retaining the cavity side wall82 in position within the cavity 46.

The additional cover panel 90 may be swung to overlie the region ofplatform 41 between side wall 33 and cavity 46, with the cutout 92congruently'overlying the platform hole 45. Thus, the flaps 93 of cutout92 are deflectable into the hole 45 to extend beneath the platform 41The hingedly connected cavity side wall panel 95 may be swung about fold96 downwardly into cavity 46, defining a longitudinal wall thereof, withflap 98 extending into the cavity generally along the bottom wall orlower section 25, and the end tabs or cars 99 extending obliquely fromthe cavity wall 95 beneath the platform 41. Here also, the tabs or ears99, in the same manner as tabs or ears 87, extend generally uprightbetween the bottom wall or lower section 25 and platform 41, to rigidifythe spaced elevation of the latter, while retaining the cavity side wall95 in position.

Further to the filling and setting up operation, an article of contents,such as a dropper 19, see FIG. 1, or other desired article may be placedon the panel 58, over which may be located a thermoplastic film, and theupper section panel 61 swung about its hinged connection 60 to overliethe plastic film with the article of contents protruding through thespecifically configured cutout or holes 65. If desired, panel 61 may beglued to panel 58 without an intermediate sheet and the article 19slipped between the panels, as illustrated. In this manner, the articleof contents 19 is secured in the package, and the upper section 61 nowhingedly connected to the lower section and swingable about the axis offold line 59 into and out of overlying relation with the platform 41. Inthis condition, the hinged connection 68 of tongue 66 will be located inadjacent parallel spaced relation with respect to the hinged connection59 for extension of the tongue into the cavity 46, as best seen in FIGS.3-6. That is, the free end of tongue 66, specifically the portionadjacent to end edge 73, together with clasping tabs or fingers 74, islocated in the cavity 46 and movable therein between the upstandingexposed or open condition of FIG. 3 and the lowered, concealed conditionof FIG. 4. That is, in the open condition of FIG. 3, the tongue 66 isswung with the upper section 61 to the raised position, and shifteddownwardly upon closing movement of the upper section to the loweredposition. Thus, upon mere upward opening and downward closing movementof the upper section 61, an article of contents 18, such as a vial, orthe like, will be shifted upward for attractive visual access andconvenient manual removal, as well as automatic return to its lowered,concealed position. Further assuring this raising and lowering of thearticle 18 is the relationship of grasping fingers 74, whichfrictionally engage on opposite sides of the article to maintain thelatter in position on the tongue 66. Further, the fingers 74 are held intheir vial engaging relation by the cavity side walls 82 and 95 whichare, in turn, held against outward movement by the action of ears 87 and99. That is, the ears 87 and 99 effectively prevent undue outwardmovement of cavity side walls 82 and 95, to

.maintain the latter in limiting engagement with grasping fingers 74, sothat the fingers frictionally retain the article 18 while sliding alongthe cavity side walls 82 and 95 upon upward and downward movement oftongue 66. Ofcourse, the article of contents 18 may be manually removedfrom and replaced in position between fingers 74, as desired.

Simultaneously with raising and lowering of the article of contents 18,the article of contents 19 is raised and lowered with the upper section61,'moving in its lowered position downwardly against resilientlydeflectable flaps 93 and into the platform hole45.

While there was described hereinbefore the interposition of a plasticfilm between panel 58 and upper section 61, this may be a preformedblister, if desired, and the panel and section suitably securedtogether. While the cars 87 and 99 effectively lock the cavity walls 82and in position, and furtherinsure 'squareness to the structure, thefolded gussets 34-37 and their resilience serve to further enhance thestaunchness of the device without requiring undue reinforcement andgluing.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modifications may be made withinthe spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A container construction comprising a lower section, a raisedplatform carried by said lower section, said platform having an openingdefining an upwardly facing cavity, an upper section swingably connectedto said lower section for movement into and out of overlying relationwith said platform, a tongue swingably con nected to and extending fromsaid upper section into said cavity for movement into and out of thelatter upon upper section movement into and out of said overlyingrelation, whereby an article of contents located in said cavity ismovable with said tongue out of and into said cavity upon upper sectionmovement out of and into said overlying relation, a pair of covermembers extending from opposite sides of said lower section over saidplatform and inwardly toward said cavity, a leg depending from eachcover member into the adjacent region of said cavity, and ears on saidlegs extending angulately therefrom into spacing relation between saidlower section and platform.

2. A container construction according to claim 1, said legs eachextending a substantial distance along a respective side of said cavityto define opposite cavity walls maintained in position by said ears, andfingers on opposite sides of said tongue adjacent to respective cavitywalls for holding engagement with the article of contents.

3. A container construction according to claim 2, said containerconstruction being entirely of sheet cardboard.

4. A container construction according to claim 2, said containerconstruction being formed c. a onepiece blank.

5. A container construction according to claim 4, said upper sectioncomprising a backing member hingedly connected to said lower section, aface member in facing relation with said backing member and carryingsaid tongue, said face member having a through cutout for receiving anadditional article of contents on said upper section, said platformbeing recessed to receive said additional article of contents.

6. A container blank fabricated of a single sheet of stifi bendablematerial and comprising: a main panel defining a lower section, aplurality of auxiliary panels hingedly connected to said main panel andswingable relative thereto to define a peripheral wall, a platformhingedly connected to one of said auxiliary panels and swingablerelative thereto to overlie said main panel and define a platform, saidplatform having a through hole defining a cavity in said platform, anupper section defining panel on opposite sides of Said platform cavity,and a pair of leg panels hingedly connected to respective cover panelsand extendable into said platform cavity upon opposite sides thereof.

7. A container blank according to claim 6, in combination with ear tabshingedly connected to said leg panels for angulate extension therefromin spacing relation between said lower section defining main panel andplatform defining platform panel.

1. A container construction comprising a lower section, a raisedplatform carried by said lower section, said platform having an openingdefining an upwardly facing cavity, an upper section swingably connectedto said lower section for movement into and out of overlying relationwith said platform, a tongue swingably connected to and extending fromsaid upper section into said cavity for movement into and out of thelatter upon upper section movement into and out of said overlyingrelation, whereby an article of contents located in said cavity ismovable with said tongue out of and into said cavity upon upper sectionmovement out of and into said overlying relation, a pair of covermembers extending from opposite sides of said lower section over saidplatform and inwardly toward said cavity, a leg depending from eachcover member into the adjacent region of said cavity, and ears on saidlegs extending angulately therefrom into spacing relation between saidlower section and platform.
 2. A container construction according toclaim 1, said legs each extending a substantial distance along arespective side of said cavity to define opposite cavity wallsmaintained in position by said ears, and fingers on opposite sides ofsaid tongue adjacent to respective cavity walls for holding engagementwith the article of contents.
 3. A container construction according toclaim 2, said container construction being entirely of sheet cardboard.4. A container construction according to claim 2, said containerconstruction being formed of a one-piece blank.
 5. A containerconstruction according to claim 4, said upper section comprising abacking member hingedly connected to said lower section, a face memberin facing relation with said backing member and carrying said tongue,said face member having a through cutout for receiving an additionalarticle of contents on said upper section, said platform being recessedto receive said additional article of contents.
 6. A container blankfabricated of a single sheet of stiff bendable material and comprising:a main panel defining a lower section, a plurality of auxiliary panelshingedly connected to said main panel and swingable relative thereto todefine a peripheral wall, a platform hingedly connected to one of saidauxiliary panels and swingable relative thereto to overlie said mainpanel and define a platform, said platform having a through holedefining a cavity in said platform, an upper section hingedly connectedto another of said auxiliary panels for swinging movement toward andaway from said platform panel in its platform defining relation, atongue swingably connected to said upper section panel and having itsdistal end engageable in the cavity defined by said platform panel formovement therein upon swinging movement of said upper section panel, apair of cover panels respectively hingedly connected to another pair ofsaid auxiliary panels for swinging movement into overlying relation withsaid platform defining panel on opposite sides of said platform cavity,and a pair of leg panels hingedly connected to respective cover panelsand extendable into said platform cavity upon opposite sides thereof. 7.A container blank according to claim 6, in combination with ear tabshingedly connected to said leg panels for angulate extension therefromin spacing relation between said lower section defining main panel andplatform defining platform panel.